African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Tony. Thank you, Tony. We were able to purchase three new stainless steel pots to continue our cooking and teaching heritage.

Chocolate Homemade Skin Care Treatment for Men

Easy all-Natural recipe for Shea Butter Chocolate Facial Mask for men. Our chocolate men’s facial mask adds the perfect scent for smelling romantic and being deliciously edible.

All-Natural Shea Butter Chocolate Facial Mask

Ingredients
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons shea butter
1/4 cup honey
3 teaspoons uncooked oatmeal

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face. Relax for 15 minutes with African safari ambient sounds; then rinse with warm water.

All-Natural Shea Butter Chocolate Facial Mask


Did you know?
The Cacao tree is the source of cocoa beans, chocolate and so much more. The cacao tree grows wild in the forests of tropical regions but is also one of the tender trees of tropical growth. Africa produces well over 70% of the world’s cocoa beans. Many African countries now grow cocoa trees, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Congo but the main producers are Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.


Chocolate Farming


Chocolate farming is an industry that is largely invisible to shoppers, yet essential to feeding the world’s sweet tooth. Cocoa processing, the process of turning raw cocoa beans into powder, liquor, and butter is a major step in creating the candy bars that line store shelves and Olam International Limited is a major player.

In December 2014, Archer Daniels Midland Company today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its global cocoa business to Olam International Limited for $1.3 billion. Olam was established in 1989 in Nigeria by Indian conglomerate Kewalram Chanrai Group. Olam International Limited operates in part by growing and selling cocoa beans. The Company has operations across approximately 20 platforms in over 70 countries.

Olam is one of the world’s largest suppliers of cocoa beans and a globally leading processor of cocoa powders, cocoa masses, and cocoa butters. Olam has been accused in the past of deforestation by purchasing cocoa grown illegally in national parks and other protected forests in the Côte d’Ivoire.

If chocolatebe the food of love, play on.


The report accused Olam of endangering wildlife by purchasing cocoa beans linked to deforestation; these types of illegally grown cocoa beans are called dirty beans. However, on Olam website, it states, “Our goal is to achieve 100% traceable and sustainable cocoa volumes from our direct origination supply chain by 2020.”

Olam also states, “We work hand-in-hand with partners, customers, governments, NGOs and through joint initiatives to create the necessary conditions for every person whose life revolves around cocoa production to prosper.”

Africa produces around 70 percent of the world cocoa crop, it is the heart of Olam cocoa bean sourcing operations and they are the leading exporter of cocoa beans from the African continent. Olam chocolate bean footprint covers Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. In Ghana in 2016, Olam provided shade trees to increase ground cover and support forest conservation.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.


  1. Deadliest routes for refugees
  2. Cooking with shea butter oil
  3. Worst serial killers recorded in history are women
  4. Indigenous healers and plants used
  5. Night running illness or magic
  6. What is back to Africa

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

African Spirit Tree Test

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Africa is home to the world’s most unique trees. Each of them has special qualities that make them stand out just like each of us. Are you wise like the Baobab or bold like the Protea?  Take this fun test to find out which African tree best matches your spirit. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You push through, no matter how tough it gets. Question 2: What Do Your Friends Appreciate About You? A.  Your strength and guidance. B.  Your kind and caring nature. C.  Your unique and bright personality. D.  Your ability to survive tough times. Question 3: If You Were A Plant, Where Would You Thrive? A.  In a place where you can stand tall and offer protection. B.  In a calm, sunny spot where you can nurture others. C.  In a bright and colorful garden where you can stand out. D.  In a harsh, dry place where you can show your
Learn More About Africa

Kwanzaa is Great for Dogs

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Paws, Principles, and Celebration: Kwanzaa Strengthens Bonds with Our Furry Friends. Kwanzaa principles apply to the entire family, including pets as Kwanzaa promotes togetherness, working together, a sense of purpose, being creative, and having faith in the future.  Kwanzaa pets Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days from December 26th to January 1st every year. Kwanzaa positively influences the bond between dogs and their owners through its alignment with the seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba.  The very essence of Kwanzaa extends beyond the distinctions between the animal and human kingdoms by enriching the connection between humans and their furry friends.  Kwanzaa is a special holiday that calls for a week-long celebration of unity, creativity, faith, and teamwork. Kwanzaa originates in Swahili, specifically from matunda ya kwanza, which translates to first fruits.  Kwanzaa is vibrant with three key colors: red, black, and green. Each hue symbolizes essential principles. Red
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Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa

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African Country by Size List. Africa Which are the top twenty largest, smallest, and territorial country in Africa by land area? 1. The continent of Africa is the world’s second largest based on land area and population just after Asia. 2. Top five largest countries of Africa are Algeria, Congo Democratic Republic of the, Sudan, Libya and Chad. 3. Top five smallest African countries and territories are Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Saint Helena and Mayotte. African Country from largest to smallest Area sq mile Area sq km Algeria 919,595 2,381,740 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 905,568 2,345,410 Sudan 718,723 1,861,484 Libya 679,362 1,759,540 Chad 495,755 1,284,000 Niger 489,191 1,267,000 Angola 481,354 1,246,700 Mali 478,767 1,240,000 South Africa 471,011 1,219,912 Ethiopia 435,186 1,127,127 Mauritania 397,95
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What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
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